Program yourself a throttle hold

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Fly the wings off

On all programmable radios I've seen, there's an option for a throttle hold. This differs from a throttle cut slightly in it's used to keep the throttle at a minimum setting. A nitro engine needs a throttle cut to kill the motor and the throttle hold makes sure that you can't bump the throttle while it's idling and send it off across the field.

On electrics, it's really easy to bump the throttle as well. Especially while setting your plane down or carrying it after plugging in the battery or testing the controls. Any time you aren't ready to throttle it up it's a good idea to have the throttle hold turned on.

I have personally bled from bumping the throttle on my hobbyzone supercub while taking pictures of the aileron throws after doing the wing mods. My brother bumped his controller and his 450 helicopter spun up in his hands and took off. Neither of us are new to the hobby and we both learned the hard way.

Take it from me, find out if you have the capability and program yourself a throttle hold and use it.

Gremlin on the Wing

If anyone knows how to program a throttle hold (in ACRO mode) on a DX6i, please enlighten me! I have been using a rubber band to keep my stick down as a safety, even if i bump it, the rubber band pulls the stick back down. So I should only loose a tip, as opposed to say,...... the whole finger. :black_eyed:

Crazy flyer/crasher :D

If anyone knows how to program a throttle hold (in ACRO mode) on a DX6i, please enlighten me! I have been using a rubber band to keep my stick down as a safety, even if i bump it, the rubber band pulls the stick back down. So I should only loose a tip, as opposed to say,...... the whole finger. :black_eyed:

Same for me! I have a DX6i and learned it the hard way as well ... Got my left arm in the way of a 10x9.5 spinning prop and carried a scar for that. Even though I think scars always tell a nice story and build up character, I think there should be a programmalbe way for safety! ( I don´t want to be full of scars)

ALSO: How would that throttle arm system work? I only know it from the KK Board that you have to move the throttle stick to the left corner at minium throttle to arm or disarm.

Fly the wings off

I checked the DX6i manual and it doesn't talk about a throttle hold, just a throttle cut. Here's a link to the manual if anyone needs it.http://www.spektrumrc.com/ProdInfo/Files/SPM6600-Manual_DX6i.pdf
I'm still checking but I think you might be able to use a mix to set the throttle to zero. I'll let you know if I find something out. I know that my DX8 and my brother's Futaba 6 channel both have the capability.

Senior Member

More combat please...

Hi Tec Aurora 9 does. I don't think the 9x does.
I've watched several of my friends try to hand launch their planes with the throttle lock engaged, often with hilarious results.
On the same token, I've tried to launch with my homemade elastic throttle safety engaged. At least I can generally overcome the pressure of the "lock" long enough to get my plane high enough that I can take off the band w/o crashing.

Fly the wings off

LMAO, that's the funniest. I hadn't thought of that. I always hand launch with throttle on before I try, but I can completely see how that could happen. I have had my share of intellectual brown outs for sure but that's a new one to me. There's another example of why we do our pre flight checks "every time" Like when I hooked my right aileron to the wrong port and took off.

Junior Member

If fly with a dx6i mostly and i'm under the assumption throttle hold only works in heli mode not acro mode, but i could be wrong.

If anyone wants to implement added safety with a lesser chance of giving them self a "Emo" branding, how about using a receiver controlled switch in line with the connection of the esc to the receiver.

Its not a simple straight forward thing to do but if people are interested i'll write a blog post on how to do it ?

1. Make sure all switches are in the correct position,
2. move throttle to idle/ off position
3. turn on receiver controlled switch, and wait for esc to "Boot up"
4. advance throttle and take off.

Nose Landing Specialist

On my flysky 9x (same as the turnigy one) it has a throttle hold. It's the switch on the left at the back. I just go through the menu to throttle hole and enable it. The set the hold pos to something lie, mines set to -30. Does the trick nicely.

Crazy flyer/crasher :D

Fly the wings off

On my flysky 9x (same as the turnigy one) it has a throttle hold. It's the switch on the left at the back. I just go through the menu to throttle hole and enable it. The set the hold pos to something lie, mines set to -30. Does the trick nicely.

Gremlin on the Wing

After carefully reviewing all the functions on my DX6i, and finally concluding that there is no way (that I can find) to set-up throttle hold in ACRO mode. I started to work on that same idea, as I have one of these switches laying around in need of a purpose. The only piece that I lack, is the external BEC to power the switch, and the other electronics.

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Junior Member

The easiest way to do it is to programme a mix into one of the switches that reduces the throttle setting by 100%. I have the TGY9X with ER9X Firmware and that's basically how you programme it through that.

A throttle cut is usually a momentary switch. It's purpose is to reduce a nitro engines throttle to zero % no matter the throttle or trim setting. This kills the engine while maintaining the trim setting which adjusts your idle. Very handy when you are landing to refuel and fly some more. You kill the engine and refuel then just touch it with a starter and you're settings are right where you left off. There's really no need for a throttle cut on an electric plane.

A throttle hold is a usually a two position switch that when activated keeps the throttle at zero or whatever preset setting you wish.

In an electric model this setting is zero. This prevents the motor from being activated if the throttle stick is moved forward. This is great for working on the plane, carrying the plane to the flight line or any time you don't want an accidental throttle movement.

In a nitro plane this setting is idle. That way the engine keeps running but the throttle won't advance past idle preventing the plane from running away. It's also useful for starting, meaning that you can start the engine and idle it without the risk of bumping the throttle and having the plane take off on you. Then after you clear the front of the plane and do your checks you can flip off the throttle hold and advance the throttle.

On a helicopter, either nitro or electric, it gives you the option of practicing autorotations by sending the throttle to zero or idle while maintaining full control of the collective. After the autorotation is complete you simply flip the throttle hold back off and you regain full throttle and collective controls.

I am only familiar with the Spektrum radio's of mine and my friends and my brothers Futaba, but there is usually a way to set it. On most of ours there is a menu option for throttle hold. It's a very common setting for helicopters but the rub seems to be getting it in the fixed wing menus. If your system doesn't have it I would explore your mix's and see if there is something that you can do to run the throttle. I may be able to help if I know which radio you are using.